Duchess of Westminster’s Tiaras

The 6th Duke of Westminster, Gerald Grosvenor, the 3rd richest man in Britain, died this week from a heart attack aged 64. he left behind a widow and four children, of whom the eldest son, Hugh, inherits the title and fortune. As the Duchess to the richest aristocrat in Britain, Natalia, Duchess of Westminster wore many tiaras throughout her tenure. Her Grace still retains her usage of the Westminster jewels, as the new Duke is unmarried. A Myrtle Wreath Tiara is also in the Westminster collection, but hasn’t been worn by the Duchess.

Westminster Halo Tiara | The Duchess of Westminster’s Tiaras | Westminster Myrtle Wreath Tiara | Diamond Necklace

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Born Natalia Phillips in 1959, as the youngest child of Georgina Wernher and Lt.-Col. Harold Phillips, she has has an illustrious lineage. Her sister is the Duchess of Abercorn, while a cousin is the Countess of Dalhousie. Her Grace has royal links, as her great aunt, Nadejda Mountbatten, was the aunt of the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as the sister-in-law of the Queen of Sweden and Lord Mountbatten. Nadejda, herself, was the mornogratic daughter of a Russian Grand Duke, and descended maternally from the great Russian poet; Pushkin. A further royal link was established in 1982, when, as Duchess of Westminster, Natalia was appointed Godmother to the Duke of Cambridge. In turn, her son, Hugh, now the 7th Duke, was appointed godfather to Prince George. She was last seen at the Queens 90th Birthday thanksgiving service in June.

Bagration Parure

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For her 1978 wedding, Her Grace wore the Bagration Parure tiara, which had been bought specifically for her. It has parure consisting of a tiara, necklace, earrings, and hair comb which once belonged to the Russian Princess Catherine Bagration. Made combination of pinkish spinels and diamonds, it was said to have been worn to a State Opening of Parliament, but hasn’t been seen being worn since the wedding. It was exhibited the Tiaras; A History of Splendor exhibition in 2002.

Rosebery Tiara

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The Duchess has also worn the Rosebery Tiara, which had made its way into the Westminster family from the collection of Hannah, Countess of Rosebery, a Rothschild heiress. Natalia, Duchess of Westminster wore the tiara to a banquet in the 1980s. It was also worn by a model during a photoshoot, when major pieces of the Westminster collection were photographed. The Rosebery tiara was sold in 2011 for £1,161,250 to an anonymous buyer.

Westminster Halo Tiara1

Princess Mary’s Fringe Tiara

Another Tiara owned by the Westminster collection is Princess Mary’s Fringe Tiara, which was a wedding gift to Princess Mary Countess of Harewood, aunt of Queen Elizabeth II, in 1922. She wore her Fringe Tiara to many events, and after her death, the it was auctioned and bought by the Westminster Collection. More HERE.

The Myrtle Wreath Tiara

The Fabergé Myrtle Wreath Tiara was made in 1906 by the renowned Russian jeweller, and has been worn by many members of the family, including the Duchess’ daughter, Lady Tamara, and has been loaned to various exhibitions. Click HERE to learn more.

Westminster Halo Tiara | The Duchess of Westminster’s Tiaras | Westminster Myrtle Wreath Tiara | Diamond Necklace

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4 thoughts on “Duchess of Westminster’s Tiaras

  1. In the bottom collage of pictures the lady in the third picture is not the Duchess of Westminster. I don’t know who she is be she is definitely not Natalia Grosvenor. I have recently seen a picture (full length picture of the same woman on twitter and she is too short to be the Duchess of Westminster. Natalia Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster is very tall 6 feet tall or slightly more. But the lady on the right in the collage is not Natalia Grosvenor. I am currently researching the late Duke of Westminster for a blog on tumblr so I know this is not the duchess, also comments left on the picture I saw on twitter from people who have met the Duchess of Westminster say that this woman is not her.

    1. Thank You for telling me! I had seen that lady identified as the Duchess of Westminster on RJWMB, so I assumed as such. However I was beginning to have doubts as that lady attended the recent state banquet in the same gown and jewels. I really appreciate your information, and will change this as soon as possible.

    2. Which photograph are you referring to exactly? You say the bottom collage THIRD picture when the bottom collage is of TWO photos, both of Natalia.

      1. There were three pictures in the original collage, which was changed to two later on, after a picture was removed!

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